One Day Later
Romulus
"You're sure her name was Carol Marcus?" Jeris asked in a shocked voice, silently making a few corrections to his assignment as he waited for the Commander to respond. "If you are lying…"
The Commander suddenly looked afraid, "I am not lying, Jeris," he replied anxiously. "She escaped the cargo ship with the other Doctor Marcus and Khan as we began tractoring the vessel towards the Ceti Alpha System. Several of my men beamed aboard shortly after and we found that Khan was gone."
"What?!" Jeris snapped in an aggravated voice as he glared at the Commander. "Did I not make it clear that the Senate's orders were that you bring Khan back to Romulus for waking and further study?"
Flinching, the Commander remained silent, "I allowed you to capture Khan so that you would bring him back for us to use in our fight against Starfleet!" Jeris snapped. "What did you do instead of that?"
"My guards injected him with a memory altering sedative and threw him back in his cryotube at my order, sir," the Commander stated timidly. "He was hostile when he was first beamed aboard."
Jeris inhaled sharply and closed his eyes briefly before opening them again, "And I assume that his attempt to kidnap Pavel Chekov as a blood donor failed?" he asked in an angry voice. "Foolish."
Trembling, the Commander immediately bowed his head in respect and fear, "Be very fortunate that I am merciful and am willing to overlook your carelessness this time," Jeris replied in a cold tone as he briefly removed his reading glasses and stared at the Commander. "I trust Admiral Marcus is still aboard your vessel and you've interrogated him about the ship and other valuable information on Starfleet?"
"Yes sir," the Commander replied tonelessly. "He is being given only enough to be kept alive."
Jeris nodded, "Once you dump that cargo ship, go back and see if you can find Carol Marcus," he replied in a commanding voice. "I may have lost her once, but not now and not ever again if I have my way."
"Sir, we are in the Ceti Alpha System and are just deciding what planet to dump the cargo ship on," the Commander replied in a firm voice. "We have been running planetary scans of the first five planets…"
Jeris sighed, "I want it done soon and then ask Admiral Marcus where his daughter might have gone," he ordered in a commanding voice. "Even if he does not talk, do not kill him; he must be kept alive."
Before the Commander could reply, Jeris ended the call, "Yes sir," the Commander breathed softly.
Deneva
"Mrs. Kirk, where is Doctor Kirk?" Saavik asked softly as she approached the seat where Aurelan was feeding Peter a small amount of baby food from a ration jar. "Charlie Evans is becoming anxious."
Aurelan frowned, "Anxious about what, Saavik?" she asked in a concerned voice. "Where is he?"
Saavik turned her head towards a corner of the barracks where Anthony was resting on a bed with a bandage around his head and Dr. Soran standing guard. Charlie was sitting at Anthony's side, talking softly to the slightly older man who was struggling to keep calm and awake in order to listen.
"Saavik, would you hold Peter for a moment, please?" Aurelan asked in a gentle voice.
Saavik nodded and sat down next to Aurelan, sighing as Peter was set in her arms, "I'll be back in a minute," Aurelan said, setting the baby food down on a small table before she made her way over to the bed and gently cleared her throat. "Charlie, Anthony, Doctor Soran, what is going on over here?"
"I remember Anthony and an older man being taken away, but Anthony only remembers a bit," Charlie Evans replied. "We were on Earth as children and it was bad, so Mister Khan took us to safety, but…"
Aurelan's eyes widened slightly, "I just want my father and sister," Anthony replied anxiously, tears forming in his tired eyes. "My mother disappeared years ago and they're all I have left in my life."
"What if Mister Khan knows where they are?" Charlie Evans asked anxiously. "We could go talk…"
Aurelan shook her head, "You boys will do no such thing," she replied in a firm parental voice.
"I just want to know that my father and Carol are okay," Anthony replied in an anxious voice.
Aurelan was silent for a moment, "Look, if I go up and ask Carol to comm down here to you, will that help you relax?" she asked in a gentle voice, knowing Sam would most likely become upset if she were to leave the safety of the barracks. "I won't be gone long, but you must promise to rest while I am."
"I want to come with you, Mrs. Kirk," Charlie Evans spoke anxiously. "I have a lot of questions."
Aurelan's eyes narrowed, "Absolutely not," she replied firmly. "Doctor Soran, watch them!"
Before Dr. Soran could speak, Aurelan walked off towards the entrance that led upstairs. Unaware that Aurelan had left, Marla came over to Dr. Soran with Joachim in her arms to ask a question about food.
Mess Hall - U.S.S. Enterprise
"Why are we having a senior staff meeting in the Mess Hall?" Leonard asked in a tired, but gruff voice as he sat down at one of the tables next to Arianne and Scotty with a cup of tea in his hand. "This isn't…"
Arianne sighed patiently as she smiled at her husband, "Because the Captain is concerned that we won't eat breakfast if we meet in the briefing room," she replied gently. "This is an important away mission."
"Does anyone know how Ensign Chekov is doing?" Scotty asked in a worried voice. "He's such a good…"
Leonard's eyes widened, "I forgot about Chekov last night," he said in a shocked voice. "How could I?"
"Len, it's all right," Arianne replied calmly. "Jim had Pavel sleep in Lorian's bed last night, so relax."
Leonard nodded, but still looked guilty, "I wonder if Jim's brother can take a look at me while we're here?" he asked in a tired voice as he sipped his tea. "Just to make sure everything's okay with me."
Before Arianne or Scotty could reply, Spock and Nyota entered the briefing room, but Nyota looked almost in tears and Spock was expressionless, "Hello Commander Spock, Lieutenant Uhura," Arianne said in a gentle voice as they approached the table. "How are you both doing this morning?"
"Commander McCoy, may I have a word with you in private?" Spock asked in a toneless voice, not willing to meet Arianne's confused gaze. "Nyota, if you would be willing to get us both breakfast…"
Nyota nodded as Arianne stood up, "Certainly, Commander," Arianne replied in a respectful voice.
A faint expression of gratitude crossed Spock's features, but he quickly composed himself as he and Arianne moved to into the Mess Kitchen, "Commander, I would like to schedule an appointment for private conversation with you at your earliest convenience," Spock stated tonelessly. "This is a request I do not make lightly, but it is something I find necessary in light of recent personal circumstances."
"All right," Arianne replied calmly. "When would you like to meet and for how long?"
Spock was quiet for a moment, "Perhaps after the visit to Deneva," he replied tonelessly. "If that is…"
"It's fine, Spock," Arianne replied in a reassuring voice. "We'll meet after you return from Deneva."
Spock nodded, inclined his head in thanks, and silently left the kitchen. A moment later, Arianne came out of the kitchen and rejoined Leonard, Scotty, and Nyota at the table while Spock moved over to the replicator and silently got himself a cup of coffee, "Where's Jim at?" Leonard asked gruffly.
In Jim's quarters, meanwhile, Jim had sent Lorian and George off to school with Yeoman Rand and was preparing himself for the away mission, "Keptin?" he suddenly heard an anxious voice ask. "Keptin?"
Jim immediately moved into Lorian's bedroom and saw Pavel awake and covered in sweat, "Keptin, ze sleep aid vore off and I tried to sleep vithout help vhile you got your sons ready for school," Pavel said in an apologetic voice as he turned his head towards Jim. "I had a nightmare zat Khan vas here..."
An uneasy feeling washed over Jim and he silently walked over to the small computer on the desk in the corner of the room. He took a seat and silently tapped in Sam's private communication number.
There were several beeps and then Sam's pale face appeared on the screen, "Jim?" Sam asked nervously. "If you're calling me, I assume the Enterprise is in Deneva's orbit; am I correct?"
"Sam, what's wrong?" Jim asked, concerned by how pale Sam was on screen. "What's wrong?"
Sam swallowed hard, "Jim, I'm not really in a position to talk right now," he replied anxiously. "We're in lockdown mode down here and communications are restricted to emergency communications only."
Unknown to Jim, Pavel had slowly gotten out of bed and had disappeared into the living room, deeply heartsick and unwilling to take more of the Captain's time if there was an emergency on Deneva.
"Why is Deneva on lockdown, Sam?" Jim asked again in a sharper voice. "Tell me what's going on."
"…That Doctor Kirk is a crazy, young fool and shouldn't be in charge around here…"
Khan moaned softly as he opened his eyes and found himself laying on something soft, "Look, Jarrico, the prisoner's awake," one of the guards, who was named Matten, said in an enthusiastic voice.
"Show some professionalism, will you, Matten?" Jarrico replied sharply. "Mister Khan, how are you?"
Khan frowned and blinked, "My name is Professor Khan," he said in a groggy voice. "Where am I?"
"You're in a maximum security cell in the medical area of the Security barracks," Matten replied in an official voice, leering rudely at the man who was tied to a bed and in a cell. "You're dangerous."
Jarrico rolled his eyes, but said nothing, "I rescued that injured boy and his sister from that cargo ship," Khan replied in a groggy, confused voice as he slowly gazed around at his cell. "Are they both safe?"
"Don't tell him anything, Jarrico," Matten hissed as he looked at Jarrico. "McGivers will freak out…"
The image of an Academy cadet named Marla McGivers suddenly flooded Khan's mind and he gasped, remembering that he had bestowed on her a gift before leaving Earth, "Marla," Khan whispered in a groggy voice as he suddenly felt very weak and confused. "Tell me, guards, is there a redhead here?"
Jarrico paled, but said nothing, "You mentioned a McGivers," Khan spoke softly. "Who is it?"
"You're an idiot, Matten!" Jerrico shouted. "Doctor Kirk's going to have our heads for sure!"
Matten cringed as Khan closed his eyes, let out an agonizing roar, and promptly broke the restraints holding him to the bed as he launched to his feet, "WHERE IS MARLA?!" he roared angrily. "TELL ME!"
Swearing anxiously, Matten backed away towards the wall and Jerrico pulled out his weapon, but Khan swiftly broke through the cell and disarmed Jerrico in several swift movements, "You will take me to this Doctor Kirk NOW," Khan hissed as he held the weapon at Jerrico's head. "Doctor Kirk is hiding Marla."
"I don't know where he is!" Jerrico lied in an anxious voice, hoping to keep Khan away from Sam.
Khan snarled, "I'll take you to him!" Matten shouted. "Just don't hurt anyone else, all right?"
Khan's eyes narrowed and he shoved Jerrico to the floor before pointing his weapon at Matten, "Now," he snarled in a commanding voice as he walked towards Matten. "Show me where Doctor Kirk is."
The quiet in the Mess Hall was interrupted as Jim came in with a reluctant Pavel, who was dressed in civvies, slowly following after him, "Something's wrong down there," Jim announced, pointedly ignoring the fact that Spock, Nyota, Arianne, Scotty, and Hikaru were all earing. "Deneva's in lockdown mode."
Pavel silently went over to the table and sat down near the window, "I already commed Giotto and told him to wait in the transporter room with some Security officers and I also want Spock and Commander McCoy to come," Jim stated in a commanding voice. "The less that come down, the safer it might be…"
"What if someone's injured down there?" Leonard spoke up gruffly. "Lockdown sounds serious."
Jim was quiet for a moment and sighed, "I don't want to take many people down for the moment because of what might be going on," he replied nervously, not daring to mention Pavel's nightmare.
"Captain, I suspect that you are attempting to conceal facts from the rest of us because you fear our reactions," Spock stated tonelessly, giving Jim a curious look. "What facts are you attempting to…?"
Before Jim could reply, Pavel coughed softly, "I had a small nightmare about Khan being on Denewa," he spoke in a trembling, groggy voice. "Ze keptin eez vorried zat my nightmare might be a realeety."
"How would Khan make it to Deneva, though?" Nyota asked in a concerned voice, frowning at Pavel.
Pavel lowered his head and shrugged, "I do not know," he replied softly. "I cannot be of help."
"But you can, Pavel!" Nyota replied anxiously, gazing at him. "You spent five days with him and you…"
Pavel shook his head and swallowed hard, "I cannot do eet," he replied shakily. "He eez unbeatable."
"We have to first ascertain whether or not Khan is actually on Deneva before we discuss having to defeat him," Spock spoke up, seeing that Pavel was becoming distressed by Nyota's comments."
Jim sighed, "I'm taking an away team down to meet with Sam and see what's going on," he replied, quickly gazing at Leonard and Arianne. "Bones, if you're feeling up to it, you can come along with us."
"I have to make sure nothing happens, don't I?" Leonard replied in a gruff voice. "Breakfast, Jim."
Jim nodded, "I had some while I was on the comm with Giotto," he replied. "Everyone ready?"
"Keptin, I am going to seet here a vhile," Pavel spoke as everyone else stood up. "I vill eeet."
Nodding, Jim smiled at Pavel, "If you need anything, comm Scotty on the Bridge," he replied gently.
"Yes keptin," Pavel replied softly, sighing as Spock, Nyota, Hikaru, and Scotty left. "I vill be fine."
Jim gave Pavel a reassuring smile, but Arianne couldn't help but worry as she followed after Jim.
Dr. Kirk's Office - Deneva
"Doctor Kirk, it's Matten," Sam heard a voice say right outside the door. "We need to talk immediately."
Sam sighed and leaned back in his chair as he looked at Carol, who was sitting on the couch, "This had better be important, Matten," he replied in an official voice. "You're supposed to be guarding Khan."
The door slid open and Sam's eyes widened and Carol gasped as Khan led Matten into the office with a weapon pointed at his back, "Professor Khan?" Carol asked in a worried voice, seeing the weapon.
"Ah, Doctor Marcus," Khan said in a pleasant, but menacing voice. "Doctor Kirk has something of mine."
Realizing that Khan must have found out about Marla, Sam's eyes widened and he stood up, "Now, Doctor Kirk, there is no need for hostilities," Khan said smoothly. "Just tell me where Marla is."
Sam and Carol said nothing, however, and Khan struck Matten in the back with the weapon before moving over to Sam, "Would you prefer I kill you first?" Khan asked, pointing the weapon at Sam.
Carol frowned, "Wait," she said in an anxious voice. "I will get Marla and bring her to you, Khan."
"What?!" Sam snapped, appalled by Carol's sudden betrayal. "Your father would be appalled, Carol!"
Khan's eyes narrowed, "That would be agreeable and Doctor Kirk can keep me company until you get back with Marla," he said in a menacing voice. "No tricks, Doctor Marcus, or else I will kill Doctor Kirk!"
Carol nodded, her eyes widening as she hurried from the room, "Now, I know that Doctor Marcus has no idea where to start looking for Marla because of how nervous she was," Khan said in a menacing voice as he came around the desk and placed a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Why don't you take a seat, Doctor?"
Sam nearly threw up as Khan slammed him into the chair by pressing down on his shoulder, "Matten, was it?" Khan asked as he pointed his weapon at Matten. "Tie up the good doctor so he can't escape."
"No," Matten replied in an anxious voice. "Doctor Kirk hired me; he gave me a chance…"
Sam gasped as Khan smacked his shoulder hard before shooting Madden with the weapon, "You injured my shoulder, Khan," Sam said in an anxious voice. "What do you want? It's not like I can escape."
"Tell me where Marla is hiding," Khan replied as he swiveled the chair and smashed the weapon into Sam's face and chest before backing off to give him a chance to talk. "Tell me and you can live."
Before Sam could speak, however, the door opened and Aurelan came in, gasping as she saw Sam badly beaten and slumped in his chair while Khan stood above him holding a weapon, "Aurelan," Sam breathed, struggling to stay conscious and silent about the pain he was in. "Khan, please leave her be…"
"Why have you hurt my husband?" Aurelan asked in an upset voice as she raised her small phaser.
Khan responded by pointing his larger weapon at her, "That is foolish," he replied menacingly.
Sam's eyes widened, but he said nothing as Khan shot Aurelan, "I will tear this planet apart to find Marla and much blood will be on your hands, Doctor Kirk," Khan hissed as Aurelan fell to the ground.
Swallowing hard, Sam waited until Khan had left the office and then, gasping in pain, he forced himself forward and smacked the emergency alert button on his computer. Loud sirens filled the office as Sam fell back in his chair and struggled to stay awake to see how badly he and Aurelan had been hurt.
Loud alarms nearly deafened Jim, Spock, Leonard, Arianne, Giotto, and the three other Security men as they materialized in the city square, "I wonder what's happened now?" Jim murmured softly.
"Are you Captain Kirk?" a voice suddenly asked from a nearby alleyway. "I heard you were coming."
Jim turned just in time to see Carol come out of the shadows, "Who are you?" Jim asked nervously.
"I am Doctor Carol Marcus," Carol replied nervously, gazing at the group. "Who are all of you?"
The name Carol Marcus caused Jim to frown and he found himself unable to respond, but Spock immediately stepped forward, "I am Commander Spock," Spock stated tonelessly as he turned to the others. "This is Commander McCoy, Doctor McCoy, Security Chief Giotto, and three of our Security…"
"Hendorff, Masters, Tychon," Jim spoke, having finally found his voice. "Set your phasers to stun."
Carol frowned as Jim sighed, "Captain, Khan is loose on the colony," she replied anxiously. "He is looking for Lieutenant McGivers and I do not know where she is, but Doctor Kirk does; Khan is holding him…"
"Where?" Jim asked in an anxious voice, worried that Khan might have killed Sam out of anger.
Carol pointed to a large building not far from the square, "The Residential Complex is where Doctor Kirk's office is and Khan sent me to find Lieutenant McGivers, but I don't know where she is," she explained in a concerned voice as she gazed at Arianne. "Arianne Pike, isn't it? My father's spoken very highly of you ever since you and Doctor Puri cleared Marla to come to Alpha Centauri years ago."
"Arianne McCoy, actually," Arianne replied, showing her ring. "I'm married to Doctor McCoy."
Carol nodded and turned her attention back to Jim, "Captain, we should go see Doctor Kirk right away," she said in a concerned voice. "He'll be able to show us where everyone, including Marla, went to."
"Right," Jim replied, quickly slipping into his professional role so to avoid the past. "Let's go."
Khan gritted his teeth in fury as he entered yet another deserted building and found no sign of Marla or anyone else; he had gone through several buildings and he was getting angrier and angrier as he went.
As he left the deserted building, a thought came to Khan's mind that could either reveal Marla's location or force someone else to give her up; Pavel Chekov, his first hostage, was no doubt valuable and most likely back on the Enterprise. If he were to manipulate Chekov, Khan reasoned, it would be chaotic.
A gleam filled Khan's eyes as he returned to the building and accessed the communications terminal, hoping that he would be able to convince the already damaged Ensign to do what was best for others.
Once the message was sent, Khan silently decided to return to Dr. Kirk's office and see if he could get any more about Lieutenant McGivers's location from Dr. Kirk or from the alluring Dr. Marcus.
It didn't take long for Jim, Spock, Arianne, Giotto, Leonard, Hendorff, Masters, Tychon, and Carol to reach Sam's office and Jim's eyes widened when he saw Aurelan laying on the floor in the middle of the room, "Bones," Jim said in an anxious voice, seeing that Leonard had already knelt next to Aurelan.
"Doctor Kirk?" Arianne called out in a concerned voice. "Doctor Kirk, where are you?" Are you okay?"
There was a groan and Spock suddenly noticed a very pale, badly beaten Sam slumped low in a chair behind his desk with his eyes closed, "Doctor Kirk?" Spock asked as he walked over to the chair.
"Sam!" Jim cried out as he hurried over to the chair and reached for Sam. "Sam, what happened?"
Sam's eyes slowly opened and he moaned, "Khan's looking for Marla," he spoke in a faint voice.
"Jim, Aurelan's badly hurt," Leonard spoke up in a concerned voice. "She was shot in the chest."
Sam moaned, "Get her out of here," he said in a weak voice as he looked up at Jim. "Now…"
"Bones, take Aurelan up to the ship," Jim said in a commanding voice. "Do what you can for her."
Swearing under his breath, Sam forced himself out of the chair using his uninjured left hand, "Jim, the civilians and most of the non-essential personnel are all in the underground barracks," he said in a pain-filled voice as he leaned against the desk to ease his breathing. "Take them on board the Enterprise…"
"I don't know if Aurelan can be moved, Jim," Leonard said in a somber voice. "I can't risk…"
Sam groaned and swallowed hard, "There's a door handle near the third bookshelf and it will take you down to the barracks," he said in a pain-filled voice as tears filled his eyes. "I'm going to be sick…"
Arianne's eyes widened as Sam threw up a small amount of blood, "Len, I'll stay with Aurelan," she said in a firm voice as she looked at Leonard. "Take Sam to the nearest transporter and get him on board."
Leonard quickly stood up and walked over to Sam, "Commander McCoy will take care of Aurelan," he said in a firm voice, helping the battered man walk over to the office's corner transporter. "Come on."
"Peter's with Saavik," Sam said in a faint voice as Leonard helped him on to the pad. "Keep him safe."
Jim nodded and watched as Spock walked over to the third bookshelf and quickly located the door handle Sam had referred to, "Hendorff, Masters, remain here with Commander McCoy," Jim ordered. "Commander Spock, Giotto, Tychon, Carol, and I will go down to the barracks and help the civilians."
"Enterprise, two to beam up," Arianne heard Leonard say from the transporter pad. "Energize."
As Leonard and Sam vanished, Arianne walked over to Aurelan and knelt down next to her, "S-Sam?" Aurelan's faint voice spoke as Aurelan opened her eyes and saw Arianne. "C-Commander M-McCoy?"
Swallowing hard, Jim made to move away from the bookshelf, but Spock sighed, "Captain, we must attend to the needs of those underground," Spock spoke tonelessly. "Commander McCoy will prove sufficient company to Mrs. Kirk until Doctor McCoy is able to return and take her on board the ship."
Even though Jim was reluctant to leave his injured sister-in-law, he nodded and led Spock, Giotto, and Tychon into the passageway, closing the door behind them for safety, "Just lie still, Aurelan," Arianne said in a gentle voice. "Hendorff, tell Leonard to bring down a stretcher and possibly surgical supplies."
To Leonard's surprise, Dr. Piper was waiting for him with a medical team, supplies, and a stretcher when he and Sam materialized on the transporter pad, "I arrived in a Concord Shuttle about 30 minutes after the away team left and Commander Scott cleared me to come on board," Dr. Piper explained gently.
"Doctor Kirk, this is Doctor Piper," Leonard explained as he helped Sam off the pad and down into a resting position on the stretcher. "There are still injured people on the surface, so I have to go back."
Dr. Piper nodded and Sam groaned, "Aurelan, Peter," he said in a faint voice. "Keep them safe."
"Doctor Piper, get Doctor Kirk to Sickbay," Leonard said in an anxious voice. "He needs surgery."
Leonard quickly grabbed some of the medical supplies, "There's a fold up stretcher in one of the boxes," Dr. Piper explained, concerned by how pale Leonard looked. "I hope things aren't too bad down there."
"Unfortunately, they are," Leonard replied somberly. "I just hope that they don't get worse."
Mess Hall – U.S.S. Enterprise
Joanna's ears were still ringing from the lecture Tonia had given her about slipping into Romulan during their group reading times as she entered the Mess Hall for a warm tea. She frowned when she saw Pavel sitting at a table in full uniform with a stylus in his trembling hands, "Ensign Chekov?" she called out.
"Joanna, vhy are you not in school?" Pavel asked in a tired voice, not looking up from the stylus.
Joanna frowned as Pavel's eyes widened at the stylus, "Khan," he breathed anxiously and quietly.
Joanna walked over to the table and widened as she read the stylus over Pavel's shoulder.
Ensign Chekov, I know you are alive and on the Enterprise. I also know that your crew mates are crawling all over the planet, but I will ensure each of them die a slow, painful death if you do not help me. I only seek Lieutenant Marla McGivers, but I have already had to injure people in my quest for her. You allowed Doctor Phlox to die because you were weak; will you allow others to die while I continue my search?
"Khan eez on ze planet," Pavel breathed in an anxious voice. "He vill find and keel ze avay team eef I…"
Joanna frowned as Pavel slowly got to his feet, "I do not know vhere Lieutenant McGiwers is, but I can deestract Khan," he said in an anxious voice as he handed the stylus to Marla. "He is wery ewil."
"Pavel, you're still recovering," Joanna replied in an anxious voice. "You should tell Commander Scott."
Shaking his head, Pavel trembled, "I vill not allov anyone else to die for me," he said in an anxious voice.
Joanna looked frightened as Pavel stormed out of the Mess Hall and she didn't hesitate to leave the Mess Hall and head for the Bridge. If anyone would know what to do, it would be Commander Scott.
Dr. Kirk's Office – Residential Complex – Deneva
Aurelan gasped in pain as Arianne pressed down on her bloodstained shirt with her uniform shirt, "I know it hurts, Aurelan, but I've got to keep you from bleeding out until Leonard can get back," Arianne said in an anxious voice as she pressed down on the wound. "Mister Hendorff, any word from…?"
Suddenly, Leonard materialized on the transporter pad with medical boxes, "Doctor Piper got to the Enterprise about half an hour after we came down," he explained. "He's taking care of Doctor Kirk."
"Sam?" Aurelan asked in a pain-filled voice as she saw Leonard approach. "Is Sam safe and out of here?"
Leonard nodded as he knelt down next to Aurelan, "Sam will be fine and Jim and the others will make sure that everyone else will be too," he replied in a reassuring voice. "Now, let me look at that wound."
Arianne silently released pressure on the wound and moved back so that Leonard could look, "Yeah, it looks pretty bad," Leonard said in a concerned voice. "Once I get the stretcher set up, we can go…"
Suddenly, there was a yell and shots fired on the other side of the door, prompting Hendorff to quickly raise his weapon as the door slid open, "Khan?" Arianne asked anxiously as she gazed up at Khan.
"I see that Doctor Kirk managed to escape," Khan said in a gruff voice. "No matter, I still have company."
Aurelan trembled, but Leonard quickly placed a hand on her to keep her still, "Perhaps one of you will be able where to tell me where Marla is," Khan said in a menacing voice as he raised his weapon.
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